Origin and meaning of “strealish”/“streelish”

Question

I've heard the word strealish (or streelish) used to describe someone with a lost or wan look or someone unkempt or untidy.

I know it's an Irishism, but what is the origin of the word and what did it originally mean?

TimLymington · Answer 1 · 2011-11-28 11:57:12Z

up vote 4 down vote

The OED says a streel or sthreel is an untidy woman or a slut.

Etymology: < Irish s(t)raoill(e) untidy or awkward person; compare straille wench or untidy

I await with interest the male equivalent: or are all Irishmen impeccably turned out?

answered Nov 28 '11 at 11:57

TimLymington
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I am living proof that not all Irishmen are impeccably turned out. Thanks. – Binary Worrier Nov 28 '11 at 12:15

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